Dignity

    We age beautifully for those who let us:
    Vines cover our graffiti-stained walls;
    Sunbeams shines through our broken windows;
    Shadows cool our ever-ancient steps.
    We stand watch for those who watch us.

    And although we lose our use
    Or do not hold much value
    Or take up precious space
    Or do not seem to welcome,
    We will always welcome.

    These rooms hold more wisdom than you could ever dream
    And blessed memories of another day;
    We try to forget, but those days built us
    Into something these days do not understand.
    We stand outside of time and trend.

    And although we are still here,
    We are already far gone,
    Distant from some things,
    From the thoughts of today.
    Yes, our worlds are smaller now.

    Bring some of your life into these, our rooms.
    We will impart to you our wisdom, our memories
    In exchange for your presence, your testimony
    That we are still what we were built to be.
    Make our world a little bigger.